, 1887-12-22
BARGAINS IN FARMING LAND.
" MAPLE GROVE FARM. "

| MAPLE GROVE FARM"
The following is sample of farming
lands for sale at the ARGUS Agency, as
described by the owner. 1t will give AZ
idea Of the possibilities in this Territory
The property now offered for sale
-2O5 acres known as Maple Grove
FARMS situated at the entrance OF
the basin called white River VAL
ley" the most famous hop growing
section in the world; eleven miles
from the city of Seattle to the rail
road station on said farm; at the
head Of Duwamish bay, which forms
the Seattle harhor; sklrted its entire
length by the navigable waters of
| White river. The choice portion Of
this basin embraces from 1000 to
1000 acres of bottom land which can
not be excelled for fertility, traversed
by White, Black and Cedar rivers,
all fed by mountain streams, forming
a junction with Duwamish; is sur
rounded almost entirely by coal and
iron mountains being actively worked,
and penetrated by two railroads with
main line connection, and q third
branching from one of these which Is
within three miles of making juno
ton with the Northern Pacific Gas
cade branch.
The lands within this area are now
held almost exclusively by men of
means who will not past with their
possessions at any price which to a
superficial observer might be con
sidered less than impractically ex-
horbitant. The cost of putting them
in state of cultivation will average
not less than fifty dollars per acre,
and when properly cultivated, have
not averaged a net profit of less than
fifty dollars per cent annual in
terest upon $500 per acre. For ex-
ample:
Hops in this section have therefore,
averaged over 1000 pounds per acre
average price for the last 20 years 20
cents per pound-cost of cultivation
and marketing not exceeding 8 cents
per pound-net profit 24O per acre.
planted six acres in 1883, too
late for any available product that
year The yield from that yard in
1884 was 1920 pounds; one acre
$50 poles-yielding 4,200 pounds, the
largest yield of which l have ever
heard. Since then the hop yard has
been leased, and l have only the as
surance that have been cheated out
of a considerable portion of the pro-
ducts by irresponsible tenants, but
am certain that with proper cultiva-
ton and care the yield Will not aver
age less than $500 pounds per acre
The standard rates to lessees are one
third of the crop, ready for market to
the lessor, with use of drying house
aud picking boxes, costing about
$1,000 to each 10 acres; averaging a
net income OF 10 per cent upon $1,000
per acre.
Within the area here indicated. the
aggregate product has often exceeded
$500 per acre, and never, to my
knowledge, less than two thousand
pounds per acre, three times the
average product of all other hop
growing regions away from the Pa
cific coast, and hence measured by its
productive capacity, the comparative
value of the land should be proper
tionate.
The product of hay upon the same
lands will average four tons per acre.
The average market price for the
past 20 years has been fully SIG per
ton. l sold my surplus this year at
$16.50 delivered ON the primises cur
rent rates in Seattle so. The
pasturage from the lst of August to
the 1st of April, is estimated at not
less than one-qnarter of the hay
value.
Potatoes may be counted on as q
certain crop at 800 bushels per acre
and 50cts per bushel as the average
market value, one half not profit
current market quotations 60cts pei
bushel, wholesale.
Sugar beets, rutabagas and carrots
from 25 to 30 tons per acre; average
price $40 per ton. One half net
profit.
These estimates are based upor
actual facts and are far exceeded il
many cases.
Gov. Squire who owns an adioin-
ing farm upon which he now resided
| Ssuo "OIh q SlOCh llI ldI
four years ago had 80 acres clearei
and seeded to timothy, harvested
over 250 tons at the first cutting
which ne sold on the premises at 81
per ton-an aggregate of 81, ,500-anC
leased the pasturage for the balanc'
of the season at $500 a month.
Sheriff Cochran, owning an adjoin
ing farm, stakes his veracity upon tn
: published statement that he harvest
: ed, last year, 5000 bushels of pota
, toes from ten acres, the market pric
, has not been less than 60cts. De
bushel the past year.
E E. N. Smithers, on an adjoinin,
{ farm, netted $4,000 from ten acres O
2 potatoes in single crop.
/ These are OF course NO uniform IT
q sG.ta but Dy 40 lEeauo extraordinary
: During the high prices of hops fou